Emergency lifted, EC to set S’wak election date

KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has been officially notified by Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to lift the Emergency in Sarawak on Wednesday.

EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said according to Section 3(3) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (Sarawak) Ordinance 2021, the state legislative assembly would dissolve on the date the Emergency in Sarawak was revoked or annulled.

“Under Section 3(4) of the same Ordinance, an election must be held within 60 days of the date the Emergency is revoked or annulled.

“The EC will meet soon to discuss holding the Sarawak state election,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah gave his consent for the Emergency in Sarawak to be lifted earlier than its scheduled end in February after considering the request of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud and the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Attorney General and relevant government agency heads.

The Sarawak legislative assembly was due to dissolve automatically on June 7 following the expiry of its term, but the state election was suspended due to the nationwide Emergency which ended on Aug 1 and the subsequent Emergency in Sarawak from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022.